Commercial vehicle demand in India is showing strong momentum, and VECV expects the sector to remain robust despite a high base following GST 2.0.
Speaking to Autocar Professional at the FADA Auto Retail Conclave, S S Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, discusses the outlook for the CV industry, replacement demand, construction and mining activity, festive demand and the impact of the monsoon.
Gill expects the commercial vehicle industry to maintain double-digit growth, even as the exceptionally high growth rates seen after GST 2.0 begin to normalise. He also explains how the industry has managed supply-chain challenges amid geopolitical disruptions and why VECV remains optimistic about the next six to seven months.
With EV penetration in the small-truck segment rising from below 0.6 percent to around 2 percent, Gill sees government-backed bus electrification and state-level EV incentives helping accelerate the transition.
In this interview:
• India’s commercial vehicle growth outlook
• Why replacement demand is driving the CV cycle
• GST 2.0 and its impact on retail demand
• Festive season and H2 expectations
• Monsoon impact on CV segments
• Managing supply-chain risks amid geopolitical tensions
• VECV’s electric small-truck strategy
• Why EV commercial vehicles could see rapid growth
• Government support for electric buses and CVs
Watch the full interview for VECV’s outlook on India’s commercial vehicle market and the road ahead for electric mobility.